Immediate Family

About Private Abner Hosmer (Minutemen militia)

Private Abner Hosmer was killed during the American advance on the British at the Old North Bridge in the Battle of Concord (Concord, Massachusetts). This was the first battle of the American Revolution.

When the provincials were within about 75 yards of the bridge, the Regulars fired a few warning shots. Luther Blanchard, the fifer from Acton, was hit and wounded by one of these warning shots. The British then fired a disorganized volley. Captain Isaac Davis was shot through the heart. Private Abner Hosmer of Acton was also killed in this volley. Seeing these casualties, Major John Buttrick of Concord commanded, "Fire, fellow soldiers, for God's sake fire!" and the provincials returned fire, causing the British to immediately retreat back to Concord.

He and Capt. Davis of Acton (under command of Buttrick and Robinson) were both killed in the first volley fired in the fight at Concord Bridge, April 19, 1775. Abner was a drummer and also carried a musket. He was but 20 years, 8 months of age when he died. At the base of the monument at Acton are two bronze tablets, one dedicated to Davis and one to Hosmer.